We sometimes talk about becoming a real man as if we have in fact seen such a thing. It's true that we have seen approximations of what a real man might look like or be, but this is only Stage I of a great quest and even our heroes are poor images of what a real man will look and feel like on the great day of the resurrection when the final act of new creation takes place and a man of God becomes deathless, fully 'real' and as physical as ever—Jesus himself having given us a foretaste in the Easter Event.
The present time is therefore your chance to prepare for becoming a prototype of a real man. In other words, Stage II of this quest will be a literal physical resurrection of your body and you will be truly glad of the skills and powers you have mastered in living in this Stage I body. Yes, the one you have may not be Olympian and may even seem to you to be some kind of 'Brother Ass'—as St. Francis fondly referred to his—but there's more to this story, as CS Lewis explains.
‘Christians … of all men must not think of spiritual joy and worth as things that need to be rescued or tenderly protected from time and place and matter and senses. Their god is the god of corn and wine and oil. He is the glad creator. He has become himself incarnate. The sacraments have been instituted. Certain spiritual gifts are offered us on the condition that we perform certain bodily acts. To shrink back from all that can be called nature into negative spirituality is to run away from horses instead of learning to ride. There is in our present pilgrim condition plenty of room for renunciation, but behind all asceticism the thought should be, “Who will trust me with a spiritual body if I cannot even control an earthly body?”
These small and perishable earthly bodies were given to us as ponies are given to schoolboys. We must learn to manage these not that we may someday be free of horses altogether, but that someday we may ride bareback, those greater mounts, those winged, shining and world-shaking horses which perhaps even now expect us with impatience, pawing and snorting in the kings stables.’ (April 30th Business of Heaven)1
1 CS Lewis Miracles Ch.16
'The Boy who will never risk being laughed at will never be a man'
PS: all the above obviously applies to women as well and could be re-written as such
parenthood seems to be my Pony right now and the damn thing is kicking, bucking, and rolling on me. I DONT WANNA DO IT ANYMORE! But what choice do I have…its my assignment and Im weary at my post. Single mum syndrome maybe. Then again I was carrying the load pretty much by myself when I was married…now its just blaringly obvious. Holy Spirit COME!Suzi
this is a late reply Suz, (sorry) but I’m still working out how this blog thing works.
It is a tough call being a parent. Be strong and know you are loved and prayed for. You can do this by His grace.
Also, try having a read of Celia Lashlie’s book on boys: He’ll Be OK, it is excellent.
Pete